YOUTH/REC ROUNDUP: Methacton Pee Wee team wins Bux-Mont title

The Methacton Warriors Pee Wee youth football team faced off against the King of Prussia Indians at Owen J. Roberts for the Pop Warner Bux-Mont Division III title. It was a great game played by both sides with the Warriors shutting out the Indians, 10-0, to capture the championship.

With the win, the Methacton Warriors will play at Malcom X Shabazz High School in Newark, N.J., today, competing in the first round of the Pop Warner five-state championship.

Pottsgrove

Pottsgrove 21, Oley 0: The Pottsgrove Falcons seventh-grade grade midget team played its seventh game of the season against the Oley Lynx in muddy, wet and cold conditions at Oley. The inclement weather hampered Pottsgrove’s normally prolific offense, and the Falcons had to overcome a first half filled with penalties and mistakes to stay unbeaten. The best play of the first half was a 40-yard run by Blake Strain, who nearly scored, but Pottsgrove fumbled on the goal line keeping the game scoreless at halftime.

On its first possession of the second half Pottsgrove struck gold when Larry Wingo took the handoff from Strain on a counter play and went 85 yards to give his Falcons the lead. The points after were added on a pass from Jaden Blakey to Rasul Faison.

Advertisement

The Falcons’ tough defense has stopped teams all season long by getting turnovers and this game was no exception. Defensive end Joe Kling recovered a fumble to give the Falcons offense the ball back and Blakey completed a pass to Faison for a 40-yard gain before Blakey scored on a 10-yard keeper. Strain added the extra point. Safety Jay Sisko came up with an interception on a deep pass, and Larry Wingo scored again on 55-yard run to put Oley away. The Falcons special teams got in on the turnovers when Alex Salata hustled down on a kickoff to get the ball back at the end of the game, and Kahlim Smith recovered a fumble after a great goal line stand by the defense. The offensive line provided solid blocking, especially in the second half, and was a major contributor to Pottsgrove’s success. The Falcons are now 7-0.

The Boyertown Optimist “Mite Gold” team closed out the football season with a 6-1 record, facing off against teams from Spring-Ford, Owen J. Roberts, Pottsgrove and Upper Perkiomen this season.

BOYS ICE HOCKEY

The Owen J. Roberts Middle School hockey team posted its third consecutive victory of this young season with a 7-4 win over Methacton. Ryan Lindsay opened the scoring for the Warriors. OJR’s Sammy Diehl tied the game late in the first period with the assist going to rookie Zach Habermann. Lindsay tallied his second goal of the game putting the Warriors back up 2-1 only 45 seconds into the second period. Austin Mourar tallied a power play goal to re-tie the game at 2-2 just over five minutes later, Brennon Szilli and Diehl had the assists. Methacton went ahead 3-2 when Evan Cassady beat Darius Lobello 30 seconds after the Wildcats had just tied the game. The Warrior lead lasted only 40 seconds as Kevin Hatten tied the game at 3-3, with the lone assist going to Habermann. The Wildcats took their first lead of the game, 4-3, when Mourar picked up an unassisted goal 10 seconds after Hatten’s goal.

This see-saw goal battle continued into the third period as Methacton tied the game at 4-4 with just over a minute played with a power play goal by James Reese. But the Wildcats and Darius Lobello settled down and took over the play in the final frame, scoring three more times. Ed Keegan picked up the game winning goal after being set up by Ryan Niggeman, putting OJR back on top 5-4. Hatten notched his second goal of the game making the score 6-4 with Tyler Crouthamel and Habermann picking up the assists. Gordie Delano capped off the OJR scoring with assists going to Billy Kranich and Kevin Moser.

For as many goals that were scored, the shot totals were low for both teams with OJR out-shooting Methacton 17-14. Darius Lobello picked up his third win of the season, making 10 saves. The Wildcat power play went 1-for-4, while their penalty killing went 2-for-3.

BOYS SOCCER

Continuing the show of local soccer power, two Berks Ajax FC club teams recently secured top of the table finishes in their respective DELCO soccer leagues in regular season play.

The U13 Red Lions finished at the top of their eight-team division with a 6-0-1 record, ahead of second-place Southern Chester County, and third-place Western Lehigh.

The U14 United squad wrapped up regular season play last weekend at the top of their nine-team division with a 6-1-1 record, ahead of second place Keystone Athletic, and third place Rage.

Both teams will participate in postseason play this coming weekend. The teams are coached by Ed Di Pietro and Scott Didyoung.

About the Author

Rosemarie Ross is a veteran sports reporter for The Mercury. A native of Germany, she began her career with the former United Press International pioneering the role of women in sports reporting. She was worked in Trenton, Phladelphia and Patterson, N.J. and has covered pro sports and boxing. She is a member of the National Hall of Fame for her boxing coverage. She covers high school sports -- and loves it. Reach the author at rross@pottsmerc.com
or follow Rosemarie on Twitter: @RoseRoss31.